Obama: Sandy, extreme weather the result of warming planet

2/12/13 9:37 PM EST

In his Tuesday State of the Union, President Obama said that global warming played a role in fueling deadly and destructive storms like Hurricane Sandy.

"We must do more to combat climate change," Obama said. "It’s true that no single event makes a trend. But the fact is, the 12 hottest years on record have all come in the last 15. Heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and floods – all are now more frequent and intense."

"We can choose to believe that Superstorm Sandy, and the most severe drought in decades, and the worst wildfires some states have ever seen were all just a freak coincidence. Or we can choose to believe in the overwhelming judgment of science – and act before it’s too late," Obama said.

"The good news is, we can make meaningful progress on this issue while driving strong economic growth. I urge this Congress to pursue a bipartisan, market-based solution to climate change, like the one John McCain and Joe Lieberman worked on together a few years ago," he said.

Obama also vowed that if Congress won't act on climate change, he would use his executive powers to act.

"I will direct my Cabinet to come up with executive actions we can take, now and in the future, to reduce pollution, prepare our communities for the consequences of climate change, and speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy."

Obama also refused to back away from his controversial clean energy loan and grant programs.

"As long as countries like China keep going all-in on clean energy, so must we," Obama said.